Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Marshall Leroy Walters (June 7, 1904 - ), retired college professor, was born in Warsaw, Indiana, the son of Jacob Edmond Walters and Flora May Elder Walters. Walters attended Fort Wayne High School (now Fort Wayne Central High School) in Indiana and graduated in 1922. Walters is married to Marya Walters; the daughter of John and Dorothy Standish Gillespie . Walters attended Chicago YMCA College (now George Williams College) from 1922-26 receiving his B.S. degree in health and physical education. While there, he lettered in track, baseball, and football and was a member of Kappa Delta Pi. He continued his education at the University of Cincinnati from 1926-31, at Western Reserve, and at the University of Mexico. In 1948 Walters earned the M.A. degree from New York University in physical education and recreation. Again he furthered his education by attending classes at Springfield College, at the University of Colorado, and at the University of Chicago. Doctoral studies were pursued from 1954-57 at Florida State University; later, independent studies were pursued at the University of Rochester. During the years of World War II, Walters served as professor and athletic director at George Williams College in Chicago. In the period at the close of the war, he conducted clinics and week-long training sessions for coaches and recreation officers on military bases in England, France, Austria, Germany, Hawaii, Japan, Okinawa and Korea with a GS16 Brigadier General rating. Walters came to Appalachian State Teachers College . (now Appalachian State University) in 1958 accepting the position of professor i n the department of physical education. In 1959, he accepted the position as chairman and remained in this capacity until he retired in 1969. Walters was granted the emeritus status by the board of trustees in 1982 in recognition of his many outstanding contributions to Appalachian State University. His publications include: "Art of Sports Officiating." Prentice Hall, 1965 and 1968. How to Play and Coach Volleyball, Association Press, 1964 and 1968. Annual Official Volleyball Rules and Reference Guide, USVBA Publisher, 13 years between 1946-1968 . He also had numerous articles to appear in noted magazines and journals such as Journal of Physical Education (of which he was editor for six years), Journal of AAHPE&R, AAUP, Society of Fellows in Physical Education, National Intramural Association and Phi Delta Kappa. Additionally, Walters distinguished himself by his many extra-curricular activities such as the organization, promotion, and conduction of: two national volleyball, one badminton, and two basketball championships; one national fitness congress; two national tri-annual "Y" physical education conventions; and other nationally recognized sports events. He was co-founder of the American Softball Association, president of the North American Physical Education Association for six years, and member of many other national and international physical education and recreation associations--including the National YMCA Research Council and the National YMCA Physical Education Committee- - which received great benefit from Walters' unique expertise in this field. After retiring from Appalachian in 1969, Walters spent two years, from 1971 to 1973, teaching as visiting distinguished professor at the University of Mississippi. In retirement, now, Walters is living in Seal Beach, California . Sources: Appalachian State University files and personal correspondence. - Dr. Richard D. Howe
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